Concordia Blog

Care for Yourself so that You Can Care for Others: A Focus on the Caregiver

March 3

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At Concordia, we understand how important it is to care for our caregivers. We have seen caregivers of all types over the years ranging from children of our residents, spouses, siblings, friends and even neighbors. Being a caregiver isn’t reserved only for those of us within this industry, it extends to all of us as a community, a family member, and a friend.

It’s important to Concordia that our caregivers find a healthy balance between care giving and caring for themselves. If you are a caregiver, we hope you will take a moment to read this and determine if you are engaging in a healthy and happy care giving experience.

Why is Lent 40 Days Long?

February 28

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Today's post is from Concordia Chaplain Rev. Roger Nuerge. Concordia's Chaplaincy Department actively contributes to our residents' well being and is an essential component to Concordia's brand of faith-based care. Enjoy!

Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is March 1 this year. Did you know the word Lent is not in the Bible? There is no command to observe Lent. Over the years, as the Christian Church celebrated Good Friday and Easter, Lent developed into a 40-day season to help God's people prepare to celebrate Good Friday and Easter more fully.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day at Concordia Personal Care and Retirement Communities

February 14

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Having a reason to celebrate, no matter what the reason may be, is commonplace for the residents of Concordia. Whether it’s a new Wii U console, Oktoberfest, or our Annual Fashion Show, we are always looking for ways to celebrate and have fun!

American Heart Month: Tips for Living With Congestive Heart Failure (2017)

February 21

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While February is known for being the month of love thanks to Valentine’s Day, February also marks American Heart Month – a time for all of us to take a look at our heart health and make lifestyle changes to keep it strong.

Unfortunately, for one reason or another, there are many people who have already experienced heart troubles, and are possibly in a maintenance program. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, there are approximately 5.7 million people in the United States living with a broken heart… and we’re not talking about the people who didn’t post a tribute to their significant other on Facebook on February 14. We’re talking about people living with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).

Concordia Couples Share “Meet Cute” Stories for Valentine’s Day

February 14

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Happy Valentine’s Day from Concordia! We’ve all seen “meet cute” scenes in classic movies – when two characters who will eventually become a couple meet for the first time in an unexpected way – whether it’s Gene Kelly jumping into Debbie Reynold’s car to escape his fans in “Singin’ in the Rain,” Hugh Grant spilling orange juice on Julia Roberts in “Notting Hill” or Leonardo DiCaprio saving Kate Winslet in “Titanic.” But do these things actually happen in real life?

We talked to some Concordia couples who shared how they met their spouses, and while they may not be quite as dramatic as those on the silver screen, they’re real – which makes them all the more interesting.

Lifestyle Benefits of Retirement Community Living

February 7

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At Concordia, we’ve learned in our 135+ years of working with seniors that the meaning of “independent” is unique to each individual. One thing that IS clear, however, is the fact that people want to remain independent as long as possible once they reach their golden years. And one way to help retain that independence is by moving to a retirement community that embraces “aging in place.”

Stay Safe and Have Fun This Winter

January 31

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Today's post was written by Concordia Physical Therapist Assistant Marcy Reott. At Concordia Outpatient Therapy, we have the expertise and resources to help get patients back to life - regardless of age.

Winter is back and that means snow and ice are always a possibility. Regardless of what outdoor activities you may enjoy, winter safety is important to stay injury free. Not only do we need to make sure our surroundings are safe, but dressing for the weather is just as important. Let’s review some safety and clothing tips to help us enjoy this season.

Senior Care Lingo: Defining the Terms (Jan. 2017)

January 24

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In October 2016, we had a great response to an article we published about defining some of the senior care terms that people don’t always understand – so we decided to make it a series! Here are some commonly asked questions we get at Concordia from families and individuals just starting their search for senior care services or a retirement community.

Exceptional Stories of Care: A Shining Endorsement for Concordia of Monroeville

January 17

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Sylvia Brunner came to the skilled nursing unit at Concordia of Monroeville in November of 2015. Six years before, she began to have memory issues, and for the last three years her husband Dave cared for her at home. She was experiencing frequent falls and, just before Thanksgiving, was hospitalized. It was then that the doctor told Dave to consider a senior care facility in Pittsburgh for her.

Some Financial Realities of Retirement Community Living

January 10

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Ask the average retiree what the biggest barrier is to possibly moving to a retirement community and many will say, without hesitation, the cost. And that person would have a point – like any other housing situation, retirement community living isn’t a small investment, especially for those on a fixed income.

Since 1981, Concordia has provided retirement living for thousands of retirees, and we can tell you that it isn’t a perfect fit for every single person, for one reason or another. However, what most people don’t understand is that it is often more affordable and practical than it appears at first glance.